Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known globally as Pele, was born in Brazil in 1940 and is considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time. He began his professional career at age 15 with Santos Football Club, and went on to play for the Brazilian national team for over a decade, helping Brazil win three World Cup championships (1958, 1962, 1970). After retiring from Santos in 1974, Pele spent two seasons in the North American Soccer League playing for the New York Cosmos. In his career he scored over 1,000 goals in official matches, a record that earned him recognition as the top goalscorer in football history.
2. Who is Pele?
On 23 October 1940
Edson Arrantes de
Nascimento was born in
Tres Coracoes, Brazil. He
is known to the world by
his nickname Pele.
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3. Clubs, Teams, Countries
At age 15, his career began in the Santos Football Club.
In 1956, Pele joined the Brazil national team
Retired in 1974
Returned to football in 1975, with a 7 million dollar
contract for 3 years in the North American Soccer
League (NASL)
Played in the New York Cosmos between 1975-1977.
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4. Background
Football player Dondinho was Pele‟s father.
He was raised in a poor family that loved
soccer.
He skipped school to play soccer.
At age 6, his family moved to Bauru.
In Bauru, he formed a team the “Shoeless
Ones” with his friends. They would run
barefoot, kicking a stuffed sock.
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5. Playing Position and Period
Pele‟s playing position was striker.
Stayed in Santos Football Club for
20 years.
Played for the Brazil national team
for 15 years.
Played for the New York Cosmos
for 2 years.
Total score 1,281 goals in 1,363
matches.
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6. Playing Characteristics
Born with the gift of speed, great balance, controlling
the ball excellently, and shooting precisely and
powerfully.
He had a tremendous sportsmanship.
Salutes the crowd after scoring a goal. Fans would
stand and chant his name.
Goalkeepers would wave or bow to Pele after a
goal.
If a keeper stopped his shot, Pele would shake
hands with him.
He tolerated players who fouled, harassed or injured
him.
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7. Passages of Great Play
Knew numerous tactics to dribble around defenders.
He mastered the in-swinger shot. It is a swerving shot that would turn
sharply away from the goalie.
Expert in the drop/rainbow shot. The ball would appear to go over the
crossbar, then it dives into the net.
Pele‟s famous shot was the bicycle kick goal. He trapped a long pass with
his chest, sent it into the air with his left foot, tossed it over his shoulder, then
flipped backwards and volleyed the ball in mid-air.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QEmnP48PEc&feature=player_embedde
d#
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8. Achievements
Trophies Honors
3x World Cup (1958, 1962, 1970)
2x Intercontinental Cup (1962, 1963)
2x Copa Libertadores (1962, 1963)
6x Brazilian Championship
1x U.S. Champion (1977)
1x IFFHS Player of the Century
1x Jules Rimet Trophy
1x Most Valuable
Player of NASL (1976)
1x International Peace
Award (1978)
Placed in the United
States Soccer Hall of
Fame
Title of “The King of
Soccer”ARISE TRAINING & RESEARCH CENTER
9. 3 Interview Questions
If you could change one thing in your life, what
would it be?
I am interested to know what would, Pele change
regarding his career choices or personal life.
What is the most memorable game in your life? Why?
The reason behind this question is I want to know
what extraordinary performance did he display in
that game.
What advice would you give to the football players
of our generation?
I want to know his advice about match fix-ups,
bribery and drug problems that football player face
today.
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10. Chronology
1940: Pele was born
1946: Moved to
Bauru
1956: Enters Santos
Football Club
1956: Picked for Brazil
national team
1958: Won 1st World
Cup for Brazil
1962: Leads Brazil to
2nd World Cup
victory
1970: Won his final
World Cup
1974: Retires from
Santos
1975: Plays in New
York Cosmos
1977: Retires from
Cosmos
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11. Quotes
"It seems that God brought me to Earth
with a mission to play soccer." (Pele)
"When football stars disappear, so do the
teams, and that is a very curious
phenomenon. It is like in the theatre, in a
play, where there is a great star. If the
star is not well, the whole cast suffers."
(Pele)
"Success is no accident. It is hard work,
perseverance, learning, studying,
sacrifice and most of all, love of what you
are doing or learning to do." (Pele)
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12. Interesting Facts
Pele had many nicknames. Gasoline for his
energy, Executioner for his brilliant scoring
ability, and The Black Pearl (Perola Negra)
because he was precious.
"If you weren't Pele, King of Soccer, what great
man would you like to be?" a reporter once
asked him. "Dondinho, my father" Pele replied.
Pele said that he came out of retirement, not for
the money, but to “make soccer truly popular”
in the United States.
President Janio Quadros declared Pele a
„national treasure‟.
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14. Bibliography
Pele PowerPoint
Presentation
http://www.cn174world.c
o.uk
Date accessed: 24/11/10
Biography of Pele
Soccer Fans Info
http://www.soccer-fans-
info.com/biography-of-
pele.html
Date accessed: 24/11/10
Pele Football Quotes
Expert Football
http://expertfootball.com/gossip/quot
es.php?search=Pele
Date accessed: 24/11/10
Learn to Play Soccer with Pele
360 Soccer
http://www.360soccer.com/pele/pele
play.html
Date accessed: 24/11/10
Pele
NovelGuide
http://www.novelguide.com/a/discove
r/nspf_03/nspf_03_00431.html
Date accessed: 25/11/10
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15. Bibliography
Pele-Player Profile and Career History
Football History
http://www.football-history.net/who-is-
who/p/pele.htm
Date accessed: 27/11/10
Football Terms
Topend Sports Network
Last update: 10/07/2010
http://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/terms.ht
m
Date accessed: 27/11/10
Achievements of Pele
World of Biography
http://www.worldofbiography.co
m/9113-Pele/achieve.htm
Date accessed: 28/11/10
Best of Pele
YouTube
May 27, 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=8QEmnP48PEc&feature=player_
embedded#!
Date accessed: 29/11/10
Encyclopedia Britannica
Published in 2005
Compton‟s P-Phos by
Encyclopedia Britannica
Date accessed: 29/11/10
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